NCJ Number
121819
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Juvenile delinquency in Korea's middle class was explored using quantitative data taken from official and unofficial statistics and qualitative data from 18 case studies and 64 life histories of middle-class delinquents.
Abstract
Background factors leading to the rise of delinquency in the middle class include the changes resulting from industrialization, population moves from rural to urban settings, changes in the family structure and size, improved education, and the growth of a new middle class. Both the quantitative and the qualitative data indicated that middle-class delinquency in Korea is hidden, committed by groups, and complex. In 1986, 38.8 percent of middle-class youth interviewed admitted committing delinquency. Factors leading to delinquency among these youths included family problems, school problems, and peer influences. Most of the delinquency appeared to be transitory and was outgrown as the youths matured. Results suggested the need for more democratic families, education directed at the whole person, and promotion of concern for human dignity and rights. Data tables